Volunteer opportunities

Yes, you too can join in the effort and fun. Almost everything you read about in the Yodeler is done by volunteers - not very different from you. So give us a call and become a Sierra Club volunteer yourself. Below is just a small sampling of opportunities. For lots more ideas and to get started, contact Chapter conservation manager Jonna Papaefthimiou at (510)848-0800, ext. 312, or jonna-at-sfbaysc.org

ExComm secretary

The secretary attends Chapter Executive Committee meetings (second Monday evening of each month) and takes minutes, later writing them up in final form. This volunteer gets a ringside seat as Chapter policy is made, plus the opportunity to be part of the "inner circle" of Chapter leaders. It's perfect for a member who is already familiar with the Bay Chapter, or for one with a strong interest in learning more. The ideal ExComm secretary has had previous minute-taking experience and has access to a word processor. ExComm minutes serve as a crucial communications link among Chapter activists, so you'll be a star! Time commitment is 8 - 10 hours per month; minimum six-month commitment preferred. For more information, contact Chapter chair John Rizzo at (415)751-1615 or jrizzo-at-sprintmail.com

LeConte Memorial Lodge

The LeConte Memorial Lodge is looking for dedicated volunteers to assist with seasonal operations. Volunteers are needed Wednesday through Sunday from May 1 through Sep. 25. Hours of operation are from 10 am - 4 pm daily, and 8 - 10 pm for weekend evening programs. Volunteers must be members of the Sierra Club. They will enjoy free entrance to Yosemite National Park and free camping at the group campsite during the time they volunteer. For more information visit www.sierraclub.org/education/leconte/volunteering or contact the LeConte Curator at leconte.curator-at-sierraclub.org or phone (209) 403-6676.

Receptionists

The Chapter Office in Berkeley needs additional volunteer receptionists who are energetic team members, service-oriented, and gracious. You will be directing calls, greeting guests, responding to inquiries, and providing general office support. Regular four-hour shifts are available weekdays, 10 am - 2 pm or 1 - 5 pm. We request a weekly commitment for a minimum of four months. Training and ongoing support are cheerfully provided. If you have a predictable schedule and would like to support the Chapter by helping in the office, call Joanne Drabek at (510)848-0800, ext. 315.

Yodeler Photo Contest

Help make the annual Yodeler Photo Contest happen (see article, page G). To volunteer, contact Aphra Pia at (510)655-0969 or aphrapia-at-aol.com or Wade Sherwood at (510)531-8664 or wwsherwood2-at-juno.com

Retired? Want a challenge?

Volunteer at the Club's national headquarters in downtown San Francisco (one block from BART and Muni); contribute your experience to help us come to grips with the environmental problems of the next century. You'll meet new people with similar interests; have access to computers, the internet, and one of the best environmental libraries in the country; and expand your own interests while sharing your time and skills. Experience is useful in just about any field. We can use skills at translating from English into a wide range of languages. In addition, we need a volunteer to help with administrative support including filing, copying, and some light correspondence and internet searches. For details, call Michele Perrault at (415)977-5670.

Energy Committee

The Bay Chapter Energy Committee needs volunteers to help us keep abreast of energy issues affecting the Bay Area and to work with other Sierra Club entities to encourage renewable energy and energy conservation. Current needs include:

• following San Francisco's progress in implementing tidal- and wave-energy technology;
• implementing a plan to educate local communities about energy efficiency and conservation;
• exploring ways locally to move towards sustainability and to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

We meet once a month, usually on the fourth Wednesday (see the Yodeler calendar or sfbayenergy.org

for exact times/places), to discuss these and other local energy issues, and to hear presentations from energy experts. Experience in the energy field is helpful, but more important is an interest in learning the details of specific technologies and legislation. For more information, contact committee chairs Doug Beach (San Francisco/Marin Counties) at (415) 608-1439 or dbeach7-at-mac.com or Tom Roberts (Alameda/Contra Costa Counties) at (415) 203-2781 or tc.roberts-at-mindspring.com

Alaska volunteers needed!

The Bush administration is attacking the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the western North Slope, and the Tongass National Forest all at once. Help the Sierra Club's Alaska Task Force and the Alaska Coalition defend Alaska's unique lands! To volunteer, contact Vicky Hoover, Sierra Club Alaska Task Force, at (415)977-5527 or vicky.hoover-at-sierraclub.org

California wilderness and forests

The Sierra Club's Oakland Field Office is looking for passionate, dedicated volunteers to work on California wilderness and forest issues, particularly the California Wild Heritage Campaign, a historic statewide effort to protect the remaining wilderness-quality lands in California. The office needs many volunteers to help with this campaign, whether for an hour a month or an hour a day. Help with administrative/office work, organizing tabling at events, phonebanking, etc. Contact dave.westman-at-sierraclub.org or (510) 622-0290, ext. 220.

Outings Office assistant

Every month Sierra Club's Outings Department in downtown San Francisco receives hundreds of requests for information. We need a few volunteers for about three or four hours every couple of weeks to help mail out responses. The hours can be any time 9 am - 5 pm, Mon. - Fri. To help, call our volunteer coordinator at (415)977-5686.

Brighten a child's life (and yours!)

Ever seen a child's face light up during their first real experience with nature? Join the Club's Inner City Outings Program and open new eyes to the wonder of day-hiking, backpacking, and car-camping. ICO provides outdoor experiences for those who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity. Diverse volunteer opportunities exist throughout the year. Most needed are volunteers interested in mid-week day hikes. No prior experience is necessary, but a love of the outdoors and comfort with children are highly recommended. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/ico/sfbaychapter/index.html or call Sven Thesen at (415) 973-1048 (work), (415) 401-6746 (home), or sventhesen-at-yahoo.com.

Central Contra Costa Sierra Club needs you!

The Sierra Club needs help in central Contra Costa County.

Help the Mount Diablo Group by giving just a few hours each month. Participating in our conservation efforts involves you in local land-use and transportation planning and politics. It is very satisfying to help make life better and healthier for yourself, your family, or your grandchildren.

Our Conservation Committee monitors developments and municipal planning and explores and proposes better alternatives. Our Transportation Committee considers alternatives for the problems of our crowded and polluting highways. Attending a public meeting and perhaps speaking up can be crucial.

We also have openings for volunteers interested in local politics. This work gives you an opportunity to meet and be in touch with local officials, and to encourage conservation-minded new candidates to run for office.

There is more! Contact Werner Koellner, (925)937-6433 or wkoellner-at-astound.net

Train to be a raft guide with Inner City Outings

Your chance to play with urban youth and adults on river

Inner City Outings (ICO) is looking for people who crave bad jokes, have a passion for working with urban teens and adults, and love the river. We'll teach you to guide a raft, tie knots, swim rapids, and much, much more.

Many of our participants have never been in a raft, in a tent, or in the wilderness. Some of them have trouble sleeping at night - because it's so quiet. ICO guides, many of them former participants, use these weekend trips to create a fun and safe setting where kids can explore the outdoors, build friendships, and learn new skills - and where we can all survive bad joke after bad joke over the evening campfire.

Our rafting program combines a dynamic group of river evangelists, environmentalists, community builders, and ordinary folk committed to changing the lives of inner-city and at-risk youth and adults in the Bay Area. We do it one paddle, one river, and one weekend at a time.

Each volunteer must complete the four-weekend training program and commit to volunteering 10 days a year for two years. We will have an informational meeting about the program on Sat., Jan 29. For more information about our upcoming training, contact Noelle at (510)981-1337 or noelle21c-at-yahoo.com